Should I Claim 0 or 1 on My W-4?
Updated for 2025–2026 · Educational guidance, not tax advice
Short answer: the W-4 does not use "0" or "1" anymore — the IRS changed the form in 2020. But the mental model still works. Here is what "claim 0" and "claim 1" look like on today's W-4.
The quick answer
People still ask "should I claim 0 or 1?" because that is how they learned the W-4. Here is the translation to today's form:
| What you used to do | What it means today | Result on your paycheck |
|---|---|---|
| Claim 0 (old form) | Leave Step 3 blank and add extra withholding in Step 4(c) | Maximum tax withheld → biggest refund, smallest paycheck |
| Claim 1 (old form) | Leave the whole W-4 blank except Steps 1 and 5 | Balanced — closest to accurate withholding |
| Claim 2+ (old form) | Put dependents on Step 3 ($2,000 per child, $500 per other) | Less tax withheld → bigger paycheck, smaller refund |
Why "claim 0 or 1" no longer exists
Before 2020, the W-4 used a system of "allowances." Each allowance (0, 1, 2, 3…) reduced the amount of tax withheld from your paycheck. You used a worksheet to count how many you should claim based on dependents, another job, your spouse, etc.
In 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act eliminated personal exemptions, which is what "allowances" were based on. The IRS redesigned the W-4 in 2020 to match. The new form uses specific dollar amounts instead of arbitrary allowance numbers — the idea being, it is more accurate.
If you have a W-4 on file from before 2020 and you have not updated it, your employer is still using the old allowance rules. You can leave it alone — but any new W-4 you submit must use the new form.
Translating 0, 1, and 2 to the new W-4
"I want to claim 0"
Claiming 0 meant: "maximum tax withheld, give me the biggest refund possible." On the new W-4:
- Fill out Step 1 (name, address, SSN, filing status)
- Leave Step 2 blank (unless you have multiple jobs)
- Leave Step 3 blank (do not claim dependents here, even if you have them)
- In Step 4(c), add an extra withholding amount — $20 to $50 per paycheck is typical
- Sign Step 5
This replicates the effect of claiming 0: extra tax comes out every paycheck, and you get a bigger refund in April.
"I want to claim 1"
Claiming 1 was the "balanced" choice — close to accurate withholding. On the new W-4:
- Fill out Step 1
- Leave Steps 2, 3, and 4 blank
- Sign Step 5
That is it. A blank W-4 with just Step 1 and Step 5 filled in produces roughly the same withholding as claiming 1 on the old form.
"I want to claim 2 or more"
Claiming 2+ meant you had dependents or other reasons to withhold less. On the new W-4, use Step 3:
- Children under 17: $2,000 each
- Other dependents (teens, elderly parents, etc.): $500 each
Write the total on Step 3. Each $2,000 of Step 3 reduces your annual withholding by $2,000.
Which should you pick?
Use this decision guide:
Real-world examples
Example 1: Single, 22, first full-time job
Old form: most would claim 1.
New form: Step 1 (Single), skip Steps 2–4, sign Step 5. Balanced withholding.
Example 2: Married, two kids (ages 4 and 8), only you work
Old form: claim 4 or 5 (you, spouse, 2 kids).
New form: Step 1 (Married filing jointly), Step 3: 2 × $2,000 = $4,000. Done.
Example 3: Got a $4,000 tax bill last year, want to avoid that
Old form: claim 0 and add extra withholding.
New form: Keep Step 3 as-is, and add to Step 4(c). $4,000 divided by your number of paychecks per year (e.g., 26 for biweekly) = about $154 per paycheck extra withholding.
Can I change my W-4 later?
Yes — any time. You can submit a new W-4 to your employer whenever you want, for any reason. Employers must put it into effect by the first payroll period ending on or after the 30th day after you submit it.
Common times to update:
- Major life events: marriage, divorce, new baby, child turns 17
- Income changes: second job, spouse starts/stops working, big raise
- After doing your taxes and getting a surprise (big bill or big refund)